Air Quality
Oregon's air quality is generally good except during summer wildfire smoke events, which can push Portland and central Oregon into unhealthy ranges.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Oregon counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Good air quality days (%) | 85 | 85 |
Wildfires
Oregon has faced increasingly severe wildfire seasons, with the 2020 Labor Day fires burning over one million acres and destroying thousands of homes.
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Acres burned per capita | 0.047 | 0.02 |
- •The 2020 Labor Day fires burned over 1 million acres across Oregon.
Drought
Central and eastern Oregon experience recurring drought conditions, straining agriculture and increasing wildfire risk.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Share of state in drought (%) | 35 | 30 |
Water Usage
Oregon withdraws water primarily for irrigation of Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon farmland, with total withdrawals near 6 billion gallons per day.
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawals per capita (gal/day) | 1415 | 1200 |
Emissions
Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions per capita are below the national average, aided by clean hydroelectric power, though wildfires periodically spike emissions.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOORA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOORA).
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions per capita (tons) | 9.5 | 14.9 |
Climate Indicators
Oregon's climate ranges from marine coastal to high desert, with average temperatures rising and more frequent summer heat waves in recent years.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Warming since 1970 (°F) | 2.2 | 2.5 |